I Have Seen It

For years, I have followed the story of God’s plan unfolding in the lives of Lewis and Melody Taylor and Go-Near Ministries. They and their children lived in Nairobi and God led them to partner with Kenyan believers in serving the poor, orphaned and widowed. Relationships were established, connections were made and God continues to bless what He began through Go-Near. While traveling with them in June 2012, I witnessed the love the Taylors have for the Kenyan people, but also the love the Kenyan people have for them. I have seen it.
While in Nairobi, we were honored to serve alongside believers who are making a difference in the lives of those in need. At the ‘Baby Nest’ orphanage, we witnessed women working tirelessly to make sure 21 orphaned babies were fed, changed, talked to and loved. I saw a precious woman named Emily minister to disabled children, believing they can learn and progress.  We saw the tireless efforts of Mama Tansi at ‘The Nest’ Orphanage at Limuru. She is firm but very loving as she is ‘mother’ to these orphaned or abandoned children. She believes God for an orphanage and medical clinic in her hometown someday. Such faith…I have seen it.

There are many more stories that could be told about God’s faithfulness in the lives of these Kenyan believers. The most encouraging thing was to see their complete trust and faith in God’s provision for them. They BELIEVE God for their future because He is their PROVIDER. Their trust in Him was humbling to me and an encouragement at the same time. I am so glad to have seen such faith.

According to Acts 1:8, Jesus’ last words to us while on this earth were, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Whether your ‘mission field’ is Jerusalem (home), Judea and Samaria (strangers, poor, needy, imprisoned, or just different from you), or literally the ends of the earth, God’s plan is for us to go…near.

James 1:27, “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Upon returning home from Kenya, God has continued to show me countless verses in His Word about the importance He places on His love for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the foreigners. In partnering now with Go-Near Ministries, I look forward to more opportunities to return to Nairobi. I want to go near to these precious friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to lift them in my prayers, support them financially, and most of all encourage them in their faith as they have encouraged me.

Whether it is through Go-Near Ministries or another ministry, please know that you are honoring God when you love and serve the ‘least of these’. Proverbs 14:31, “The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.” So glad to have seen it.

Cheryl Williams