Loving Jesus MORE

Today I feel so grateful to friends who support us. To those who don't know us well, my mom used to come and spend 6 months each year with us, teaching and loving street kids. She was with us in the beginning and set up our English curriculum; she loved teaching them to read and was equally "at home" sitting in a street base or living in a nearby apartment to ours in the slum. Now, she's in a home, with two loving caregivers, and she sleeps most of the time. Seven years ago she forgot my name; this was when I returned from Kenya after not being with her for 6 months. When I got there, she had "moved"; she didn't know where she was. And I didn't know where she was either; she was lost in her mind. Now, she sleeps most of the time, and I think she recognizes my voice. This has been hard on me. I leave her and go to Africa. It's not easy.

What makes it possible is friends who love God and thus love her. Let me just tell you about one friend, Michelle. She's had two wonderful ideas I'd like to share; the ideas might help some of you with a parent like mine. Last time I was there, Michelle said, "Let's run by the mall. I need to do some shopping." Well, OK.... She took me to Build A Bear, and together we picked out the softest animal and do you know, they have a "voice" you can put inside. So I stepped into the restroom, and tearfully sang a song to Mom, and we put it in the bunny. Michelle bought it and I took it to Mom. If you press a bunny foot, she can hear my voice. Mom's two caregivers think it's great and fun too, so they press it a lot. And so do other visitors that come to be with Mom.

Michelle's other idea is that she's made Mom her "MITS prayer partner". Every time Michelle comes, she prays with Mom about MITS. How appropriate. I do know that if Mom could talk, she would tell me to be in Africa, for she loves those street kids too. My other friends come to read Scripture, sing, pray, and (I hope) press the bunny foot, ha. I really, really, appreciate them!

So today, as you live for Jesus in so many ways, just know that as you impact others, we really appreciate it and feel God's arms around us and around those we must leave in our choice of service to Jesus.

Have a busy day! Darlene