Page 15 - 2018 AdventDevo-Flip book

Friday, December 7
Advent Overseas
“My grace is enough.”

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 2:5-11

About twenty years ago, I spent three and a half months during the fall
and winter in Kenya, Africa. It was part of my semester abroad through
the School for Field Studies. The trip was an absolutely amazing experi-
ence. Instead of having a tourist-type safari where you’re whisked away
on some land rovers, have catered meals, comfortable beds and “real”
bathrooms, I got to experience Africa behind the scenes. Half of the trip
we stayed in tents and the other half in grass huts with none of the con-
veniences of home. We lived with many different tribes of people and
each day God revealed the majesty of His creation! Whether it was
climbing Mt. Kenya, waking up to a view of Mt. Kilimanjaro outside of
my tent each morning, viewing the magnificent animals or just being quiet
and soaking up the unobstructed views of the moon and stars at night; all
of it was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

As Advent began, God began to reveal to me that these native African
people had nothing and yet everything they needed. Many would walk
three hours or more each day to get a measly bucket of dirty water. They
had very little to eat (maybe some cow’s blood mixed with milk) no la-
trines, no electric or any of the other conveniences that we don’t even
think about each day. Yet, they were full of joy! Adults would waive to
you with both hands as you went by and kids would shriek with glee if
you waved back. They would dance and sing and praise God for all that
he provided! They had all that they needed. They had God, and that
was enough.

Jeremy Carpenter

Prayer: Dear God, this upcoming Christmas season, help us not to focus
on our worldly possessions but help us to remember that You are
enough.