Thank you doesn’t seem like nearly enough after the outpouring of love and support that we have received. I wish that I could have the opportunity to thank everyone in person or at least send a note to everyone but it just isn’t possible. There are just too many people involved and many have supported us anonymously. So while it is painfully impersonal, please accept my sincerest thanks through this post.
It is still hard to believe everything that has transpired in the past several weeks. There are still moments when I wake up and I forget…at least briefly. Reality soon sets in however and the emptiness that Hannah’s death left us with returns. But the amazing thing is…soon after we receive an e-mail or a Facebook message or a card or some other reminder that we are not alone in this. Ever since the news of Hannah’s sickness and death, we have been absolutely overwhelmed with love and support. We have been firsthand witnesses to how the body of Christ can surround and care for someone who is hurting deeply. And we have been so humbled to be the recipients of this love.
In a few hours, we will board a plane to return to Tenwek hospital in Bomet, Kenya. We will do so with heavy hearts but we will not hang our heads in defeat. Rather we will continue on, knowing that God is good…even in the darkest of days. We will continue with our mission to reach a lost world knowing that death and the grave have been fully and forever overcome by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! We also go on knowing that it is only because of Him and those standing along side of us that we have made it this far.
As we leave, I would like to present you with a challenge. It may take you out of your comfort zone a bit. It may require some level of sacrifice. It may even change your life. Steph and I have spoken with so many people that have expressed a desire to have a faith like ours. It is possible and that is exactly what God wants for you. My family is not a bunch of superheros (although we do dress up and pretend sometimes). We are the same as every one else…but we have released our lives to Jesus and His leading.
So here is the challenge…if you have never accepted the gift of salvation that is only available through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I would challenge you to explore the truth claims of Jesus. Read the Gospel of John and challenge God to reveal Himself to you. Expect to hear Him and then listen to what He says. You will never regret this decision!
If you are a Christian who has surrendered your life to Jesus, then I have a challenge for you as well. Serve Him better. We all can. I don’t know what that means in your life…that’s between Him and you. Seek out those whom you can serve. Don’t turn away from the pain and suffering of others. Instead enter into that pain with them and walk them through it. Help them to shoulder the burden and carry them to Christ. Impact the world in Jesus’ name. Will He ask you so say goodbye to someone you love…probably not. Will He ask you to give up something that you hold to way too tightly….maybe. Will He walk with you every step of the way, hold you close, and shower you with His unending love…absolutely!
For those who think that they are not worthy to do this, I want to assure you that neither Steph nor I am either. And from what I read in the Bible, we are in pretty good company. Here are a few examples. For the sake of time, I won’t detail each person’s story…I’ve included some verses/chapters so you can find out more if you would like.
Noah appears to have had an issue with alcohol (Genesis 9:20-21)
Jacob was a chronic liar, schemer, and manipulator (Genesis 25-37, 42, 45-49)
Moses had a speech impediment (Exodus 4:10)
Rahab was a prostitute (Joshua 2)
Joseph was abused and abandoned (Genesis 37)
Jonah ran away from God (Jonah 1-4)
Gideon was afraid (Judges 6)
The disciples fled in terror (Mark 14:50)
Peter denied Christ…three times (Mark 14:66-72)
So many people in the world are hurting. Many people don’t know or understand who Jesus is, what He has done, or what it truly means to be one of His followers. The fields are ripe for harvest (John 4:35). Lets get out there and spread the truth!!
This is my prayer for you. Father God, I thank you for showing your great love to my family through your people. You are the great I Am, you are the beginning and the end, you are helper and healer. Move powerfully in the lives of those reading this. Reveal yourself to them in new and unmistakable ways. Draw them ever closer to you. Raise up your people to reach the lost and dying. Give us your eyes to see the hurting. Give us your heart, broken over those who don’t know you. May we be living sacrifices to you, willing to follow you wherever you may lead us. Thank you for Hannah’s life and for the impact she has had around the world. Thank you for what you have done and will continue to do. Amen!
Again from my entire family, asante sana (Thank you very much!)
- Changing Seasons - September 4, 2016
- Well Done Good And Faithful Servants - May 2, 2016
- Looking Back….Looking Ahead - March 14, 2016
17 Comments
Cindi
Apr, 30, 2013<3 Safe travels dear friends. Looking forward to your next entry. Hugs and prayers.
Jody Allen
Apr, 30, 2013Thank you for the inspiration and may god continue to walk beside you at Tenwick, I will be thinking and praying for you as you walk in your home and the hospital the first time. I can not put myself in your position, but can feel your pain. Your words made sense, ever since my cancer I sometimes get an idea or impulse to o something in my mind and feel like it was placed there like a test from god, and I feel the need to do it. It could be giving a homeless person some money, to treating the staff at my vet office bagels this past Saturday, so maybe I am walking with god and growing my faith in other ways. God bless you all
Audrey
Apr, 30, 2013I am thankful to God for Him giving you eyes to truly see, a heart that has felt more than most of us has ever felt and willing hands to be used by Him.
I have not ceased praying for your family and asking Him to fill you with the full knowledge of His will.
In Christ alone,
Audrey Fitzgerald (Molly Bonaventura’s mother)
Cindy Johnson
Apr, 30, 2013Aaron and family if I have ever read an account where a test was turned into a testimony it is this. Your blogs are a gift. Hannah is alive and we shall all celebrate eternal life with her in God’s perfect timing. We thank God for His love for your family and your willingness to be so very transparent. Blessings in abundance.
Billie Jo
Apr, 30, 2013Love and prayers to all for safe travels. Cannot wait to hear what shenanigans your family gets into with those boys when you get to Kenya. Praying for peace in your return and strength from God for your day to day struggles, not just with memories of Hannah, but as you attempt to treat the others placed in your path. Always in our thoughts and prayers.
Kristen Whitesel
Apr, 30, 2013Aaron and Steph and boys,
Praying for safe travels. Thank you for being my Amazing Spiritual Heroes.
Thank you for strengthening my Faith in God even more.
It is a true blessing. Be safe and God bless you.
Natalia
Apr, 30, 2013Thank you for your words…”Will He ask you to give up something that maybe you hold on way too tightly…maybe” My answer is yes He will. Your words have confirmed my feeling of giving him my full comment in serving Him, nothing else matters in this world. Praying that you and your family have traveling mercies.
Raynell Slate
Apr, 30, 2013God Bless you and All your family! I will pray for you all and I know you will Win Souls for JESUS! 🙂 Thank you for your words of wisdom in your blogs you post! You are Truly a Blessing to others!! Love to All your family!
Miriam Wert
May, 1, 2013I have the sense that you and Steph are my friends even though we never met. Thank you for revealing your very heart and soul throughout the time of suffering and grief for your family. We know and love your mother and Steph’s mother and are deeply moved that we now “know” both of you because of your sharing online with us. You are in my prayers for a safe journey and for many blessings as you continue God’s work in Kenya.
Brenda Hart
May, 1, 2013Kelley family…
“May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
God loves you and we do too!
joey adkins
May, 1, 2013let me know if you made it safe. alvin and annas and friend.
Vicky and Bryan
May, 1, 2013Aaron, Steph and boys,
It was an honor to be able to spend a brief period of time with you before you left for your trip back to Africa. You are amazing witnesses to God’s love and you have a beautiful family. You have inspired Bryan and me to grow stronger in our faith and reach out to others in as many ways as we can to spread the Word of God. Your story and your blog has become such a blessing to so many people. I know that Hannah is smiling for all that you are and all that you have done for others. God bless you all and be safe.
Karen
May, 1, 2013Hi Kelly family,
I spent my last summer in Kenya with WGM, including a week at Tenwek, and that is how I heard about your story. My heart breaks for you and I am also so inspired by the strength in Christ that you have shown. Today you all were on my mind/in my prayers strangely frequently, and I check the blog and see that you are in fact, as I write, on your way back to Kenya. May this be evidence of the love that is being poured out on you, by friends and family in the world, but most of all by our Father in heaven. Praying for you all as you return to life in Kenya. “Who You Are” is a great song by JJ Heller that you would probably enjoy.
-Karen
Karen D
May, 2, 2013Dr Kelly,
My name is Karen and I’m a nurse working for Samaritan’s Purse in South Sudan. I was on the Amsterdam -NBO leg of your flight back to Kenya yesterday. I saw you in the waiting area in Schiphol and wanted to come and find you on the flight but didn’t manage to. I wanted to let you and your family know how sorry I am for the loss of your beloved Hannah, your story and her’s has reached even to the farthest corners of South Sudan. As one who has returned to the field site after a traumatic loss I too understand the pain of reliving the terror of those terrible memories. 7 years have past since my return and my facing those moments. I can promise you that God is faithful and he will carry you thru, and you will be so glad you came back. God bless you, your wife ,and beautiful boys as you grieve your loss and continue to run hard after all He has called you to.
Kristi Bothur
May, 2, 2013Dr. Kelley, I just read in the Samaritan’s Purse newsletter about the death of your sweet daughter Hannah. I am so terribly sorry for your loss and will be praying for you. I also have children in Heaven, although mine were lost during pregnancy rather than childhood, and my husband and I have a website with information for bereaved parents. Though much of it relates to pregnancy loss and early infant death, perhaps some of it will be of comfort to you. It is Naomi’s Circle (www.naomiscircle.org). Please share with your wife Stephanie that I will be remembering her, as one bereaved mother to another. Thank you for your service to our Lord.
Marion
May, 6, 2013We’ve never met, but I’ve been following your blog since I saw a call to pray for Hannah. I can’t pretend to understand the road you’re walking, but your faith strengthens mine “as iron sharpens iron.” In sequential reading through the Beginners Bible with my 4 and 2 year old, we found ourselves in the story of Hannah tonight, and the Lord brought you to mind again. I’m continuing to pray for your family as you re-enter your life at Tenwek, and begin another painful step in the process of healing. It is obvious God has His hand over your family and your ministry. I’ll continue to pray for you regularly as you take up your cross and follow Him.
amelia
May, 6, 2013You may not know who i am (Danielle Bernabucci’s kid) . After I heard what has happened i have been really following your blog. Every time i read your blog i start to cry. my whole entire heart goes out to you your wife and your boys. i am old enough to know has been going on-and its sad to even think about. my whole heart goes out to the kelleys. have a safe trip back to kenya.