On a cold Sunday evening at church, the pastor gave an invitation for anyone who felt “extremely blessed” to raise their hand. I shot my hand in the air just as fast as I could. Then he gave the invitation for those who felt “extremely blessed” to stand and share why they felt so blessed. My mind raced like Jeff Gordon’s car around the race track. I could hardly listen to those around me sharing their blessings as the Holy Spirit started whispering the dozens of ways that made me “extremely blessed.” Mind you, the “extreme blessings” that came to mind that night were mirrored from the eight years that I spent living in Kenya. They weren’t the usual fare.
• Our house is not 8 ft. wide x 9 ft. long with dirt for a floor and corrugated aluminum for the walls and ceiling.
• Our family of six is not confined to an area of 8 ft. x 9 ft. It is not uncommon in Kenya to see eight to ten people living in an area that small.
• We each have a bed to sleep in at night–with a pillow and sheets and blankets to keep us warm (although Levi, more often than not, seems to think our bed is nicer to sleep in than his own!).
• I have hot and cold running water connected directly to my house (even after four kids have baths there is usually warm water!).
• I don’t have to wash my families’ clothes by hand in a river or a washbasin. I have a washer and dryer right in my basement that work great (most of the time!).
• I have a bathroom in my house; in fact, less than 30 feet away I have a second one (and yet I sometimes grumble about having to clean them BOTH!).
• I have a pantry and refrigerator in my kitchen that is full of food and good things to eat any time of day or night. We have been trying to teach our children that what we eat in one meal is more than most kids in the world eat all day and night. At breakfast we have said, “Imagine what it would be like if you couldn’t eat again until tomorrow morning.” We hope that, in some way, we are preparing them for Kenya. I have seen the starved children begging for food and even had them grab food out of my hands.
• We each have enough clothes in our closets and dresser drawers that we have to CHOOSE what we will wear each day. We actually have a choice! I have seen the kids in Nairobi with their dirty, torn clothes and know that it’s all they have to wear. As a parent, how I ache for them.
• Travis has a wonderful job and his boss has been more than kind in letting him stay until we are fully supported and ready to go to Kenya. They have assured him, “You have a job until you leave!” We praise the Lord for this!
• Travis’ work has given him great benefits, one of the best being affordable health insurance for our family. We cannot help but think of all the people in the world who struggle with doctor and hospital bills or who just struggle with health problems as they cannot afford to see a doctor.
• We have not one, but two vehicles parked in our garage that run without a glitch most days (even though the handles and latches are starting to fall off one by one!). We realize that out of the world’s population, we are, by far, wealthy!
• Our children have books, toys, bikes, a swing set and many other activities to keep them entertained for hours on end. I get quite intolerant when they come to me and say, “I’m bored!” I remind them of the kids in the world who have NOTHING but a rag ball and would trade places with them in a heartbeat.
• We have four terrific, healthy, loving children who bring us joy every day. Three of the four have asked Jesus to come into their lives (our prayer is that Levi, who just turned three, will make that choice one day also!) and we live with the hope that God will do something incredible with each of them.
• In Jenison, Michigan we have wonderful public schools with high ethics and standards and teachers who care about our kids’ education.
• God has given us so many faithful supporters (both prayer and financial) to serve with us in our ministry to missionary kids in Africa. We cannot thank the Lord enough for bringing them into our lives.
• My husband loves me, praises me, and showers me with affection every day. He thanks me constantly for all that I do for our family (even when I don’t deserve it!). How many women in the world can say that?
• My heavenly Father sent His Son to Earth in the form of a baby so that the little baby could grow to be a man and die on a rugged cross for MY sin, as unworthy as I am. He did this because He loves me so much and didn’t want to be separated from me! I cannot fathom that love.
That Sunday evening in church I wanted to stand up and shout, “Anyone who has eaten today, who has a roof over their heads, and has clothes on his back should be standing right now as YOU are extremely blessed!” I didn’t say that but I wished I had. I have often wondered lately why God chose ME to receive these blessings. Why do we, as Americans, have such an abundance and take so much for granted, when others in the world are in such need?
As 2008 quickly comes to an end, sit in the dining room at your house, table laden with food, and think of all the ways that you are “extremely blessed.” In fact, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done (sounds like a good song, hey?! “Count your blessings!”).
On this 29th day of December we should be flying to Kenya. As saddened as we are that our support is not all in and we aren’t able to return to Rift Valley Academy just yet, we are confident that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)
A Blessed New Year to each of you,
Patti (for all the Nielsens)
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