Monday, July 9, 2007

Go to a place I will show you

Mayfield Guest House


We often think of Abraham when we see this title, but do we related to ourselves? The day before we left going to Kenya we were told our accommodations had been changed. Unfortunately no one knew what the new location looked like, where it was located or what amenities or lack there of we would be facing. Guest houses are known for their simplistic charm. Okay, they mostly look like old style dorm rooms. By the time we arrive at the African Inland Mission (AIM) Mayfield guest house, it was after 10pm and we just wanted to go to sleep. We realized right away it meant showers and restrooms down the hallway and not in the rooms. About 4 or 5 am we were awaken by the the nearby Mosque calling the Muslims to prayer. About 6 am birds with the loudest "caw" sound made their entrance and finally the bustling of people waking up to take showers before the breakfast bell range. All these new sounds and we had only been there 10 hrs.

We didn't know at the time but Mayfield would be its own adventure apart from our mission. Everyday we met missionaries from all around the world going to other places in Kenya, Sudan and other remote places. There were doctors, nurses, teachers, administrators, pastors, Refugee camp worker, families, professors.... There were 1year to 70 year olds. There were people staying in Africa for 2 weeks and others who had been there 30 years.

This new land of Mayfield provided what was to be our home for the next 28 days and the only information we had was what we just experience the night before.

By the 28th day we came to love the Mayfield staff. The whole staff was male and they did everything and I mean everything. They considered their work as a ministry and it showed in the way they cared for the building and all the missionaries who were coming and going everyday. They were polite and tried not to intrude, while at the same time if they saw you looking sad they did not hesitate to say something to cheer you up.

We had know idea what it would be like in this new land but God had already worked out the plan so that we felt comfortable without the details. Is that not what he asked of Abraham? Go to the land that you know nothing about its details and I will show you that I have already prepared it for you.