The Goodness of God
God’s Times and Seasons
What a difference a year makes!
As we drove through Kibera towards Soweto Academy, Pastor Chris said “welcome home Karen.” His words matched my full heart as silent tears overflowed.
A new home for teenage girls given safety, food and education.
Walking across the school yard where a year ago, rough ground and piles of bricks lay, a handsome 3 storey building stands tall. To the left a single storey building, which fully furnished will be a kitchen and dining room. To the rear a covered area set on on concrete with low walls provides a washing area with taps and running water. There is even a path between buildings. A new brick wall boundaries their ground and immediately beyond the familiar corrugated iron homes rise up the hillside. The stark contrast declares the goodness of God, the deeds prompted by faith, and testifies to the selfless love and unflinching endurance of Pastor Chris and Joan together with their spiritual family in the face of persecution and painful trials. With my own eyes I see more of their inheritance of The Kingdom of god. I gaze upon the love of God for these precious ones, He makes worthy. God’s goodness penetrates my Spirit in a deeper way and instantly multiplies the seed of Hope he planted a year ago – Hope Grows in Messy Places.
A new dining room and kitchen. We used this space to teach the girls.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12
1 From Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We send our greetings to you, the Thessalonian congregation of believers, which is in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 May God’s delightful grace and peace rest upon you.
3 We feel a personal responsibility to continually be thanking God for you, our spiritual family, every time we pray. And we have every reason to do so because your faith is growing marvellously beyond measure. The unselfish love each of you share for one another is increasing and overflowing! 4 We point to you as an example of unwavering faith for all the churches of God. We boast about how you continue to demonstrate unflinching endurance through all the persecutions and painful trials you are experiencing. 5 All of this proves that God’s judgment is always perfect and is intended to make you worthy of inheriting the kingdom of God, which is why you are going through these troubles.
A new boundary wall protects the school.
11With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This Song featuring Kirby Kaple and Pat Barrett “Give thanks to God” is a beautiful response to worship God for his goodness.
Such experiences leave a lasting impact on us, and I know you left a lasting impact on the girls there too. More than you’ll ever realise.