Unity in Purpose: Abba's Wall

Seemingly impossible tasks can be accomplished when God is helping those who honor Him and when their efforts are united.

A few months ago I was sitting with our staff in Kenya to discuss security at the IAA site in response to recent violent events that have caused concern for the safety of the children and the workers. A close neighbor to IAA was the victim of a home invasion and was robbed and beaten. The word was that this perpetrator was asking for phone number of our IAA site administrator. In Nairobi an orphanage was broken into and the perpetrators not only stole the bags of new clothes for the children, but they also raped some of the little girls. Other situations came to my mind as we discussed the need for better security. My thoughts went to the riots of 2008 where there were people literally being chopped up with machetes, and houses and churches with women and children inside were set on fire and burned to the ground.


I've always known we needed more security, but the thoughts of trying to build a stone wall around 3 acres of land seemed to be a daunting task. When I returned to the states I kept thinking and praying about what to do. One morning in my quiet time the Lord lead me to the book of Nehemiah and I began to read about all the different people that came together in unity to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. I had also just received a call from a team leader asking me what project they could work on when they visited IAA this summer. Then the Lord put it in my heart and it all came to me at once. Why not build the wall with many people? Teams, Churches, groups and individuals coming together for ONE PURPOSE. We could even ask people in the Kenyan community to help and to be involved. God put the desire to rebuild the walls in Nehemiah's heart, giving him a vision for the work and it was done. What seemed impossible was possible with God's plan for the project. I believe that God has given us a plan as well, and I believe that it will be accomplished through the efforts of unity in purpose and community. Click here for Nehemiah’s story.


The purpose of the walls in the days of Nehemiah were to protect from attack and to ensure the continuity of worship. Our purpose is the same and God's answer to our problem is the same. Our wall will be built by many who give and work in unity.


Importance of prayer: Like Nehemiah, we will face difficulties and troubles in accomplishing this huge task. Prayer and action go hand in hand. Through prayer, God guides our preparation, teamwork, and diligent efforts to carry out His will. Prayer will be an integral part of the success of this project.

Nehemiah 1: 11 "O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name."

Without this wall we will remain defenseless and vulnerable. The elections of December 2011 will most likely bring about political unrest as it has for every election in the history of Kenya. This is our goal, to have the wall finished by Dec. 2011. This is a BIG goal, but we know that all things are possible with God. No one believed that the wall in Jerusalem could be built as fast as it was--in just 52 days.

It takes a community in unity.

More information on sponsoring and naming a section of Abba's Wall will be posted soon!