Seeing Stars

I've avoided writing because our computer has been broken and I don't really like typing on the iPad. 

But I've also been a bit busy with several days of entertaining house guests. First, a man attending a conference at our church spent the night here. What was a simple agreement to offer a bed to a stranger became an evening of encouraging talk and news from around the world (this man spent three years as a missionary in China). How I love meeting a brother in Christ and discovering how connected we are!

Next, a friend from France came for a short visit. Hearing her talk about teaching, about her family, and about France again reminded me that the world is much smaller than it seems. No matter where we are from, we have so much in common!

And now, staying with us is a pastor from Kenya. In the few days that he has been with us, he has become family. He and his wife both graduated from programs sponsored by Compassion International (so if you ever wonder if your sponsorship helps, know that it does!) And I never tire of hearing about life in other parts of the world: how foods are similar or different, how even humor is different, how time can be 'flexible', and how the Church is growing. And it was this pastor's words last night that pushed me to jump on the iPad and write today, despite the inconveniences of typing on this electronic device. Here is what he shared with us (you'll have to imagine his Kenyan accent):

Someone once told me that he likes to see the stars when they come out. I said, "No, the stars don't come out. They were always there. But you can't see them until it is dark. And sometimes, in our darkest times, that is when we see the light. We see God's love and God's grace. Though they were always there, we didn't know it until it became dark."

And that is what I wanted to share with you today, especially if you are experience a dark time. Look up, and look for the stars. They are there.

(And let me add that I am thankful for God's thoughtfulness- though I can't travel to France, China, or Kenya, He has brought them to me! And I hope someday to experience these places in person, and find ways to serve my 'family' there!)