June 2003

Greetings from Kenya!

Why does helping others give such great pleasure?

Maybe it is because we are made in the image of God, and that is what God does. It is very satisfying to wipe away a child’s tears and replace them with the sounds of joy and laughter, to bring hope in times of despair, to open the doors of opportunity for a better life. The list goes on. What can be more fulfilling than being the instruments of God’s love?

Being a missionary has reinforced our hope for humankind, because we meet so many people who truly want to share God’s love with others.

Recently, we received an email from a friend who wants to support the work here in Kenya. She is a retired 70-year-old widow who says she lives comfortably on her social security and small pension. She is excited because she has come up with a plan to earn extra money to give to missions. She is going to earn the extra money for missions by taking care of an 83-year-old friend who broke her hip. Both women are gleeful that the insurance money paying for the home nursing care will be used to help educate a child. Their emails are brimming over with joy and excitement. For them, this labor of love is hardly work at all.

Groups are traveling to Kenya to do manual labor, paint, fix, hammer and nail. Some are bringing reconditioned computers, printers, scanners, and copiers. Others are devising ways to help AIDS-orphaned children receive a hot meal each day. The list goes on.

So I ask again, Why does helping others give such great pleasure? Send your thoughts via email to us at terdyk@swiftkenya.com.

For us, it is about feeding the soul; it is about our hearts being restless until they rest in God. We feel blessed beyond measure to have this opportunity to participate in God’s activity in Kenya. And we also feel blessed that you have joined us in this great calling.

We extend to you “the Grace,” which Presbyterian Kenyan’s pray in unison to close a meeting: “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever.”

Sincerely,

Lyle and Terry Dykstra