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.

Ministry starts on the Airplane

Interns (Kristin, Melissa) and Carla

When you're getting ready to go on a mission trip you think about what you will do when you get there. But you never know what type of ministry will be needed before you get to your location.

My first encounter started on the plane from London to Nairobi. An elderly woman sat in the aisle seat next to me. It did not take long for me to realize that she didn't speak any English and I knew I didn't speak her language. I thought, well that means I will get lots of sleep on this flight.

Well the time came that the man on the other side of me needed to get out and I had to try to figure out how to get her to get up. After making several gestures she finally realized that I was telling her to stand up. When I saw how long it took to get her to move I decided it might be best if I would also get up and go to the restroom and take the time to walk around a little.

About 30 minutes after returning to my seat, I felt someone punching my arm. It was the elderly lady. She was trying to communicate something and I just was not getting it. I believed she was asking about where the restroom was, but then I realized she wanted me go with her to the restroom and watch the door. I laughed to myself because it never occurred to me that someone would ask a complete stranger to watch a locked restroom door on an airplane. Believe me when I say she stood their until I understood that she wanted me to go with her.



While she was inside I thought" Lord is this where the ministry starts? I was looking forward to Kenya and yet you put someone in my path like the Parable of the Good Samaritan." While she was not hurt physically, she needed someone to come along side and help. Was I going to be so busy getting to my ministry, to serve on the way to the ministry? Perhaps I needed to be stopped in my tracks - on the airplane- and be reminded that ministry to people is waiting at every turn. Do I pass by or do I stop and help no matter how small the task?



Well just to make sure I got the point, she punched me in the arm about 3 hours later to go again to the restroom and this time I understood right away.



On our way back from Kenya I thought I saw that elderly woman again, but she looked more relaxed and she was going to the restroom on her own. It occurred to me that it was probably her first plane ride and she didn't know what to expect and trusting a complete stranger was all she could do.



I thank God every time He reminds me of the little things in ministry.