Since Josh got back from Kenya – we’ve not really had time to sit down and talk about his trip.  He came home with strep and was really sick for a week – then school started – and now I’ve been sick.  However, last night we had about an hour to visit and it was great!  He went through a slide show with me that was amazing and narrated the entire thing – sharing stories of what he experienced and learned.  Needless to say I was pumped.

One of the things that really blessed me was his understanding of the joy and contentment many of the Kenyan people/children have.  He told me that he never heard a single one of them complain about anything even though they have so little.  They work hard and barely get by, and yet they don’t complain!   Josh said a verse he has memorized now is Philippians 2:14 to remind him of this; it says “Do everything without complaining or arguing.”  He said he knows he still complains about things and shouldn’t, but now at least he said he recognizes it and the verse helps him remember the attitude he should have.

Another cool thing that he realized came from reading and memorizing the 410 Bridge key verse; 1 peter 4:10.  He told me he wanted to really understand it – so he read the whole passage in context.  He said when he got to verse 11 he was blown away.  Here are the two verses together:  “10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. ”  When he left for Kenya – he had a sore throat (didn’t realize it was strep).  During the entire time he was there to serve,  he said he realizes now it was “with the strength God provided”.  God provided the strength and he didn’t feel bad the entire time he was working and serving with the people.  God provided for his physical needs while he was there serving.

I don’t know if I’m making a lot of sense as I write – I just know I have a lot of joy over what Josh experienced and brought back with him from Kenya.  It’s way cool to hear him share his God experiences with us.