A Gift, A Miracle…

DISCLAIMER…there is a video at the bottom of this post that YOU HAVE TO WATCH. This post is a good read too!!

Today is Ash Wednesday and it’s been a great day so far. It’s been a full day of reflection, discussion and conversation about this mysterious God that I’ve put my life towards (ash on head and all!). It started by going to Ash Wednesday Mass at my dear friends Parish called Mt. Carmel in Tempe. The homily was confronting. The priest talked about how we are so afraid to be alone. He called us ‘cell phone junkies’ and called us out on the reality of how desperately afraid our culture is of being alone, even those of us in Christ. We don’t know how, we’re scared to, we’re resistant to, we’re afraid of and we fill our lives with so many things that keep us connected to people so that we won’t have to be alone. Introvert or Extrovert we all have ‘things’ that we do that keep even our minds occupied. I was confronted by the Holy Spirit in time of reflection, during church this morning, to prioritize more time to just soak in His presence and commune with Jesus. Is this just me or are you with me on this one?

My fast for lent is going to be from soda/coffee drinks. My resolve is that I will drink water only for 40 days. I’m excited about it because I actually will have to choose water in my day multiple times and it’s in those times that I just want to remember who is my true drink. Jesus. He’s the one I’m after and He’s the one I’m staking it all on! I want to know Him more and I’m thankful for a season of fasting that will lend itself to the gift of knowing Jesus more intimately. I’m amped to have an opportunity, throughout the rhythm of my day, to willingly choose something that will serve as a reminder of Jesus sacrifice for me, for us and for humanity. Thanks be to God (as they say in the Catholic Mass).

I returned back to our church campus here at Cornerstone just to run into beautiful tears. Our amazing Kenyan sister, Caroline, is living here in Chandler, AZ with our Pastor and his wife as she pursues her Masters degree at Arizona State University. What’s never been said very loudly is that Linn and Lisa Winters (our pastor and his wife) live one of the most generous lifestyles that I know. I could make a list of 10+ people (including myself) that they’ve take into there home in times of need and just to be a blessing. Caroline is next on that list of people that they have been gracious to as she lives with them now and for the past 4 weeks Linn and Lisa have been ‘just figuring it out’ with their 2 cars to make sure Caroline has transportation to get to ASU. Relentless giving. Very cool!

That being said, I came back to the church this morning and Caroline came in gasping for breath, filled with tears and, honestly, I couldn’t tell if something bad had happened or what. She then went on to explain what I then made her sit down with me to video record this very special day and what it means to her. So sit back for a minute and listen to this beautiful woman as she talks about a faithful God and tells a story of unique and profound blessing. PRAISE BE TO GOD!! Music courtesy of Robbie Seay Band – Hallelujah, God is Near and Matt Maher – Unwavering.

I’m curious…what would you be willing to give up during Lent?

To learn more about Huruma Childrens Home – CLICK HERE.

To see a previous blog post I did on Mama Zipporah during the time @ the loss of their beloved Papa Isaac – CLICK HERE.

A Sad Day In Kenya!

Many of you may of heard about or even seen the documentary called ‘Invisible Children’. If you’ve seen this film you will remember an amazing woman who, ultimately, introduced Jason, Bobby and Laren to the story of the Invisible Children. Her name is Mama Zipporah.

She is an amazing woman doing a work in Kenya that is bringing the hands and feet of Jesus to some of the most beautiful children in all of the world. She has become the mother of children that have been treated with the worst of the injustices anywhere in the world. She is a Saint, truly.

Much of the work that Mama Zipporah has done comes on the helms of her man, her husband, Papa Isaac (they call him). He’s the kind of guy that gave her his land (in Kenyan culture that is unheard of and totally radical) so that she could do the work God called her and them to do. He’s the kind of guy that works tirelessly towards the mission of justice, as he and Mama have adopted and house over 150+ children on their own.

Our church is very involved with the work that is happening at their home in Kenya called Huruma Children’s Home and we know them personally and love them quite immensely.

That being said I just received this email:

Today at 3:00pm in Kenya, Papa Isaac, Mama Zipporahs husband died suddenly of a heart attack.  Our heart is so very very sad for Mama and all the Children.   Papa was a tower of influence of Christ in that community and especially to Mama.  We are trying to figure out how to help her and the children right now.   So please pray for them and also Shauna (who is from Cornerstone working full-time @ Huruma) who is not sure how to help.

If you want to send a prayer or note the following are there email addresses:
Mama –  mamazipporah@yahoo.com
Caroline (Papa and Mama’s biological daughter) – naisy80@yahoo.com

I believe they would be encouraged by your prayers and support.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. PLEASE PRAY. pray for Gods peace to rush in and hug them close.

2. If you have ANY platform to raise awareness and/or donations for Huruma Children’s Home and this situation DO IT (Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Websites, literal Stages or any other creative way)! You can link them to my blog entry or directly to the Huruma Website. Email me if you have any questions brianwurzell@gmail.com

3. GIVE. Give them whatever you can. If you have a $1 or $5 or a MILLION and you can give…GIVE!! Because Huruma is such a grassroots movement (they don’t have the backing of World Vision or Compassion, etc…) Papa was a huge source of generating income for them, beyond some donations from a few relationships they have. any donations that you might be willing to make in the honor of Papa Isaac…which I think would be an INCREDIBLE expression of love to them in these day can be made by clicking the following logo (let’s blow them away with financial support, let’s build their dorm in his honor):

Please remember Mama, Caroline, the children of Huruma and the workers in these days as they grieve this very hard loss of a man that brought much joy, strength and balance to their home. Pray that the mission and work of Huruma would continue and that they would find so much love in the midst of their pain.

Listen to the words of this Psalm in light of it all:

Psalm 103

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children-

18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.