Roots

As Taleah played in her favorite tree, I examined its roots... following them up the strong branches supporting 
my daughter's smile.
 

Then, I remembered a boy... eyes holding hatred beyond his tender years. Wickedness invading innocence, infecting roots for his future and now… who brings hope to his dying life?

Living in Kenya, among people with roots formed by generations of poverty, polygamy, tribal violence, gender injustice and colonial oppression we see where truth must eliminate lies so healing can flourish.

The word root or roots is mentioned 56 times in the Bible.  Roots deal with foundations and fruitfulness - stability, support, nourishment, growth, productivity.  

The Creator, Father God 

determines where roots start.

Then life happens. 

Almost uncontrollably, bad things sink deep into hearts.

Evil’s desire to destroy reflects in sin’s horrors - stolen innocence; suffering inflicted without restraint; incessant, searing pain of abuses; neglect's lonely abyss.

Sin infects roots with bitterness, offense, unforgiveness.

(Deuteronomy 29:18)

Amusements might temporarily soothe sins throbbing wounds, but who can heal root damage? Who can make new foundations that affect fruitfulness?

 Jesus.

Only Jesus.
(Isaiah 11:10)

Recently we started teaching a facilitator class for the DIGGS training.  We asked widowed mammas to look in a mirror and tell us what they saw…

First, uncomfortable shifting emerged. 

Faces in a mirror, in front of others?

Really looking…

Honestly seeing… 

What did they say?

“I see my old face... missed so much life.  I see God wanting to give me more.  I see me giving because I received.”

“I see someone who was shy but now I know I have confidence in the Lord in me and my sons.”

“I am ugly.  I don’t know some days how God will help me. But He does. I am here. I am learning. I am growing. I want to help others. I need help to do that.”

“I was loud, got angry easy. I want to defend myself because no one ever stands with me, my children. Now I want to enjoy the life God made for me and teach others to trust Him.”

Jesus heals sick roots. 
These widowed mammas believe Christ provides more than their traumatic pasts dictate, more then evil destroys. 

The Christ-centered relationships between us cultivate roots that create stability, support and productivity.  

True growth might be slow, but it’s established,

and we see healthy buds of fruit forming.
(Jeremiah 17:8)

By helping these mammas create new roots, children 
are spared generations of hardships. 
Does evil remain? 
Yes, it will remain until the end, 
but choices change evil's destruction and yield healthy roots - 

as long as Jesus is the answer.
(Colossians 2:7)

                                      

    TOGETHER, WE NURTURE ROOTS THAT BRING ABUNDANT LIFE FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE FUTURE OF NATIONS

IN JESUS NAME.

(Ephesians 3:17-19)

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0