The upside down kingdom

We arrived back from our team overnight trip refreshed and ready to go. We had a great, relaxing time – although we did manage to burn our food, forgetting how quickly food cooks on a gas stove! We are now back to the world of charcoal...This week we've had several reminders that God's kingdom is an upside-down Kingdom. We've seen Jesus reach out and empower the ones we least expected. Our friend Anna seemed quiet and lonely when we first met her. Feeling called to simply love her, we spent time with her. We have been surprised at her journey over the last few weeks as she has grown in boldness and courage and has been sharing her faith with those around her. We had been trying to connect her with some other ladies in the community, but the way we planned it wasn't working out. Then when we saw Anna this week, she slipped it into the conversation that she'd met with 6 ladies, including Shahida who came to faith last week, to encourage and pray for each other! We asked her several times to make sure we had the translation correct and were amazed at how God is working in her life and using her – and thankful that His ways are not our ways.The kids at the school this week really grasped how God could use them like he used David against Goliath – despite some impromptu dubious acting. L mastered her dramatic fall to death as Goliath and Morgan in bossing around the smallest child as David! We were blessed to see the children lay hands on each other and pray for each other (even if the boy praying for his friend's sore throat placed his hands a little too tightly around his friend's neck!)We were also touched as Mama S continues to shower us with gifts – our bags are full of avocados – despite her poverty. On sharing the story of Jesus and the adulterous woman, we discussed what it meant not to judge – and to love your enemies – in a community where there is much distrust and bitterness.The stark reality of this was brought home this week when a thief was killed by the mob right outside a house Shadreck and Sandra were sharing in. Our prayer is for this community to grasp the upside down kingdom too – how to love your enemies and stand for peace.We know God will continue to use the unexpected, the little ones, the poor – and enable this community to reflect His glory.