​This time a year is a season in which we hear a lot of great stories about people doing wonderful things in the name of Christ all over the world.  These stories make us feel good in our hearts and give us hope.    And we make resolutions for the new year about how we are going to be better people -  how we are going to be kinder and how we will try to be more like those Super Christians.  But, when we fail to keep those resolutions, we think back about those inspirational stories, we are reminded about our failures, and we feel inadequate, discouraged, unworthy and unqualified.     
I was really drawn to a book I came across with the title:   (Un)Qualified: How God Uses Broken People to Do Big Things by Steven Furtick.  In the book, Furtick said:
"When you discover who God is, you discover who you are. And when you discover who you are, you no longer have to struggle with the insecurity and self-promotion that define much of society. You no longer have to strain to measure up, to qualify. You are free to be yourself."
In Christ, we are accepted not because of who we are or what we’ve done, but whose we are.  Knowing that we are accepted because of what Christ has done, should free us.  As Furtick says: 
"God wants to blow the lid off your expectations of yourself. Stop talking about who you are not and what you cannot do, and start listening to what God says about your life. Stop labeling yourself, and start letting God do whatever he wants in and through and with you."
 Many times since we started this mission with Huruma, I have started writing something to post on this website only to be held up by the haunting thought, “Who am I to write this?  I’m not remotely qualified to be doing this.”  But, the message of the Cross is, “Yes, you’re right.  But, your Savior can do anything.” 
So, this year, I would challenge you to trust God, step out and be bold in loving others.  And, start small.  If you want to find out how you can do that through Huruma, stay tuned.   We are contemplating another mission trip to Kenya, possibly in April 2017.   You don’t need to be “qualified” to be used by God.  He’s got a pretty good record of working through the “unqualified.” 

We are very excited about all of the things that God is doing in Kenya.  The Bethel Children's Centre has been serving more children than ever before.  We have the largest group of students going to high school next year than ever before.  The good news is that frees up more space at the Centre to bring in more young children, as the older kids go off to school.  At the same time, the tuition and fees of the children going to high school has risen.  As you consider end of the year giving, we hope that you will prayerfully consider supporting this mission.  Huruma has no paid staff, so 100% of any funds you donate will go directly to support these precious children.  In addition, there are other exciting opportunities Huruma is considering in Kenya, and we would ask your prayers for wisdom as we consider them.