If you have ever played Jenga, you know that it is a stacking game, using rectangular wooden pieces. You first stack the pieces forming a tight rectangular building,
then continue building higher, using loose pieces from the original construction.
In my mind, I keep thinking of the loose pieces, and the way that we poke at the ends of the blocks to see which ones will come loose, so that we can use them to build upwards, without putting at risk the integrity of the increasingly fragile building.
I can see before me something that has been built up by someone's hand. I see that things have been prepared. But the work isn't finished, it hasn't reached its full potential.
I also know that although this started with a single friendship, it has grown into something involving many souls, and this isn't meant for me to do by myself. It is time to start building with priesthood and missionaries, people who are authorized and have keys over the work in the Kenya area.
The original intent of the forming of this Kenya Seeds blog was two-fold. One reason was to share the story, and in so doing to testify of many things that I know, including that God is still a God of miracles, and that he sees and loves his children everywhere in the world, and that if we are only willing, he can and will use us, even as imperfect as we are, to reach them with the truth that they long for, near or far, by the hundreds or one-at-a-time.
The second reason was more private at the time of the blog beginning. After arriving home from Kenya for only a couple of weeks, the word of our visit and discussion had spread throughout the branches of their church, through their church members and leaders. A few days before creating this blog, I was receiving messages from them, pleading for me to return with Elders holding the priesthood, to share more about our church with their church. They said that at least 1000 and perhaps several thousand Kenyan people would gather and listen, if we could give them plenty of advance notice so that they could make arrangements for such a grand event. When I read this, I knew that even though I had tried countless times to contact the Kenya Mission Office, it wasn't happening and I needed to try something more; this was growing heavier and it was time to attempt to advise the brethren.
Without sharing too much, I want those reading to know that I took these things to local authorities; they responded with joy and were supportive, encouraging me to write about it in short, executive summary form in a letter (and also to create this blog for more detailed reference information, the blog link included in the letter), which they would then hand up with their own endorsements, to the brethren. The information was given, and I have been told that word will come. I am awaiting counsel from them on how this unique situation should be handled.
It has been weeks now, and I am told that these things take time.
Meanwhile, I try to keep the path warm and the relationships with the Kenyan people alive, but hope is growing frail with the drawing out of time.
Frail like the Jenga building.
I continue to call and email the Kenya mission office (although with no response), send scriptures and messages to the people (still getting a beautiful response), send followup messages to the brethren (awaiting a response), and search my brain for any other thing that might lead to something moving forward in the right way. I see an image of Jenga game, and I see myself "tapping the blocks" looking for loose ones that will push through, and can be used.....any possibilities that can help to forward the work, but not insistently pushing forward so hard as to damage the already beautiful formation.
It's a game of patience, requiring a steady hand and a gentle approach.
I don't know what will come, or how it will play out. In my mind's eye, I hope that it will be God's will that me-- or even better my husband and I-- or even my family will be asked to go to visit Kenya alongside some authorized brethren of the priesthood, bringing missionaries of the Kenya area, and together we'll go out to the bush to bring the message of the restored gospel to those beautiful and remarkable children of God who have been prepared and are waiting. I imagine my role simply being one of loving the people, serving the sisters and children there, and, at the gathering, together with the father and my first Kenyan friend, Kiaruuh, telling the story of how those prophesied things had come about in miraculous ways, and how it all had led to this moment. Following our stories would come introductions to the missionaries and priesthood authorities, where our Elders would talk and share with theirs, and from there, everything that the Lord has been wanting and promising for the people to have, would be given.
I know enough about these people to know that they are united-- they worship is in groups, prayerful each day as individuals and as a family, then gather by the hundreds, in branches, twice per week to testify and share. There is no one head leader, no paid preacher. They haven't even officially named their church. When something special is brought by a gift of the spirit to one of the group, they share it with their Elders, who pray for confirmation. If it is found to be truth and of God, it is written down in a book and shared with the other branches through a network of meetings and gatherings, and the revelation is integrated into their worship. In total they have tens of thousands of members of their church.
These people work purely without question through the promptings of spirit, and what is given as truth from God to their Elders, they pray about for confirmation, then trust and act upon it as a united people.
Here are some quotes that I have gotten in the last month from some of my Kenyan friends:
- Am saying that you come and we all pray god together and shall tell us many things
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(A few days earlier, a grenade attack had happened elsewhere in Kenya and I had expressed my sympathies for the people of Kenya)
Friend from Kenya: We want to share with you what we were told yesterday in the church from the book of Matthew. The five wise virgin girls and five others were not wise. The Holy Spirit encouraged us to know our position. Are we wise enough to keep the spare oil so that by the time he comes, our lamp have enough light?
At church they have greeted you and your family, and told you they are proud of you. Imagine! We informed the church about you in America, and they are eagerly waiting for you!
Don't mind about terrorism, God is there for us, and as you know, these are the last days when it was said that many shall fight, and there shall be no peace, because these are the signs that Jesus is very near, so our work as Christians is to pray for our heart, and for the everlasting life, which is very very near. Trouble on Earth will never end, dear friend.
....That is roasted maize (corn) from the shamba (crop). You left them (when they were) like seedlings. Just see the fruits of rain. Even yesterday evening it rained alot. Praise be to GOD
Maize in my shamba. Do you remember?
Have a good night, I am off to school (he is a teacher). Greet Dallin, and all your children, and moreso Brad.
Me: ...It gladdens my heart to hear a lot of good messages from your family, and to know that you care a lot. I have shared some of the messages and stories with my family and church members, and they smile and say hello to you. We will continue to pray and look forward to the time that we can say that we are coming. We will give a lot of advance notice when it is arranged, but know that a lot of details need to happen first, because it is a very complicated process.
But I am working at it constantly, and will never give up.
Kenyan friend: Which process surely know that God is the greatest processor, and he will process everything. Do not mind (worry)
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I just looked online and learned that Jenga is an African Swahili word meaning "to build."
Fancy that. :)
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