I wanted to share something encouraging with you folks.  As you know, God is a big God and he sees the bigger picture when we wonder if we are making any difference.  Almost 2 and a half years ago when I first came to Kenya, the Lord crossed my path with a little 5 year old Muslim girl named Amina.  She was a shy little girl who frequently visited our house with her older sister.  I started spending time with Amina and fell in love with this timid little child.  We would sit on our steps for hours playing with toys, coloring, and trying to communicate.  My heart broke as I heard her story from her older sister.  Amina was not loved by her parents as she is HIV positive and they were always trying to find ways to get rid of her as she was seen as a burden to the family.  She was not treated nicely by anyone in her family and more than once she came to my house crying and hurt.  I remember sitting on our steps holding little Amina and just loving on her.  She would beg to come live with me.  The Lord completely broke my heart for the first time in Kenya through this little girl.  I remember crying myself to sleep as I would pray for Amina, that she would know that she has a Father who loves her so much!  I wanted more than anything for her to feel this love.  Towards the end of my first 4 months here, I got news that Amina had been sent to Mombasa to live with extended family.  My heart broke again as I feared I'd never again see this precious child.  All I could do was pray for her and her family.  For the first time I experienced first hand the Father's heart for his children. 

Yesterday I was at the Annual Nubian Festival with my friend Ramla.  We were standing there surrounded by the crowd of over a thousand Nubians.  I felt a little hand reach and touch my arm gently.  I turned around to see a familiar face that I had not seen in over 2 years.  Of all people, it was Amina!  I would recognize that smile anywhere.  I looked at her carefully and said "Amina?!"  She grinned from ear to ear and said in perfect English, "yes, it is me, Amina."  I gave her a big hug and told her how much I had missed her.  For the rest of the afternoon at the festival, she stood right beside me and never let go of my hand.  She accompanied me home and we were able to catch up a bit.  She has just recently returned from Mombasa with her family and is now living close by.  She's doing very well in school and she tells me that English is her favorite subject.  What a joy to see her again!  She assured me she would come visit me frequently.  I look forward to spending time with Amina, and I pray that I am able to show her just a glimpse of the Father's love for her.