Today I woke up to a
birthday celebration for me. That’s
right I turned twenty-seven today. I
came down stairs to find a wide variety of muffins, eggs, various fruit juices,
coffee (always), and decorations. Let me
just tell you about these decorations; they went all out. Newspaper streamers that spelled out Happy
Birthday Jason, paper cutouts of various hand tools, a card, and a scrabble board
that that spelled out as many words of thanks and fun that it possibly could. So far, this is shaping up to be the best
birthday I have had in a long time and maybe that is just because I’m in Kenya, but regardless
of why; I’ll still take it.
I really need today and
am very thankful for it. Yesterday, I
experienced Hell on Earth, maybe not quite that bad, but I did begin to wander.
The transmission that I put in the van
was bad, which meant that I had to take it back out and exchange it for another
one. Needless to say, I was frustrated. This was no easy job, as I was working with
about a quarter of the tools and supplies that I would have in the states. I spent the morning in prayer, just letting
the Lord have all of my frustration and then some. I kept saying time and time again, “Lord
why? I did everything right. I sacrificed time, energy, and even safety, I
even prayed your blessing over it, and yet you reward my efforts with failure.”
Then I prayed through all of my
frustration about my expectations for this trip. This was supposed to be a vision casting trip,
and yet I have found myself going through the vans and the apartments fixing
everything. Finally, after getting all
of that out of my system I said, “Lord, I have two days left; help me to get
everything done today so that I can spend these last two days seeking you.” The Lord showed me that I am part of something
much bigger than myself and that he has used this time to teach me.
I should
also mention that two of my Kenyan Mechanic friends came over and we yanked out
the tranny and swapped in another one and the van has run better than it ever
did. I also learned that you can pick up
and install a transmission with a fan belt, but that it takes three attempts,
one of which requires that the transmission falls and pins my arm underneath
it. I’m okay though, scars make for
great stories.
The Lord has given me today and tomorrow to
seek his vision for Kibera slums, Kenya, and for me. I am very grateful for that and I can’t wait
to see what happens. Please be in prayer
for me as I walk out this journey and try to wring out every last drop of what
the Lord has for me. Also, we fly back
to Georgia
Wednesday night, so please pray for our travels. Thank you again for all of your love, support,
and encouragement.
Jason, you continue to be an inspiration to me and my family. Your endless faith walk with the Lord makes me rethink what I am doing for the Lord and how I am reaching out to others to bring them closer to our beloved Christ. Thank you for continuing your journey and inspiring me among many. God will and has blessed you in many ways. We love you!
Hope you get to celebrate in the Kenyan way. (something that I just barely escaped!) The celebration requires them to pour a bucket of water over your head! Happy birthday. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Jay! These email alerts just started coming to me yesterday, and they have brought a lot of spiritual relief to me. Thank you for being a great tool for the Lord! I look forward to seeing you this weekend.
God Speed!
Linda
Words can not express how lucky we are to have you! You have taught us alot and you continue to do so. We know that if you or I fails, Thank God and try again. Glad that you got to spend your Birthday in Kenya and it is wonderful. HE has big plans for you, just wait. Enjoy your day ! !
Love and miss you ! !
Happy belated b-day, Driver! Look forward to hearing about your trip whenever you make it back to the GA office! Praying that the Lord blesses your remaining time there!
Blessings and a b-day hug,
Sue
Son, I want to wish you a very happy birthday. You make me very proud. We will be praying for you to have a safe trip home. See you friday night.
Driver! You worry me sometimes :), but I’m glad your arm’s ok. Happy Birthday!! Casey and I are looking forward to seeing you soon, and we’re praying for no delays!! God bless, we love you, and I hope you have a great day!
Carmen
Hey Jason. For the most part it seems like things are going well on trip in spite of some car troubles. I thought you’d like to know I fixed my own car the other night. That’s right, I did. And I’m very proud of that. haha Anyway I hope you have a safe trip home. Happy Birthday!
Brittany
Happy Birthday Driver!!!
Hey buddy,
It has been a long time, dude you will be in my prayers the next couple days as you search after the heart of God. Blessings man, send me your phone number so that I can give you a call one of these days. Oh I was in Kibera for a couple weeks this summer and I stoped by the AIM house and used your misquito net…thanks 🙂 Love ya Bro.
What tools do you need me to send you?
Happy Belated Birthday, Jason!
My dad just told me about your blog, so now I will be able to keep up with you a little better. It is so exciting to hear about all that God is doing in your life! I have been praying for you, and I will continue to do so! Have a wonderful day!
hey man, i am super excited to hear you are doing well! happy 27th, thats awsome.
that tranny had to be amazing, i remember pulling the one on the cavalier and thinking this sucks!
i am so glad to hear you are well and in kenya. hope to see you when i get back to GA too.
i miss ya man.
!~mike
First of all… HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It’s my older brother Bryan’s birthday today as well. 🙂
Thanks for sharing again… I’ll be praying.
I just wanted to let you know that after you sent me that email last week about Kenya, that I mentioned you for prayer on Wednsday night – over Kenya and your time there, and also your flight home.
So, know that people were praying for you.
Please do check out my blog, Jason. 🙂
http://teresayw.blogspot.com