Thank you to all of you that have supported me before, during, and now regarding my time in Kenya.
Originally, I didn't have much time to think about what occurred during my time or reflect on what actually happened because I returned to Ontario for a wedding and then took off on a road trip with my sisters to the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri. Then the next day upon my return home I went straight to work at my Grandparents farm. Whew. Just saying all that makes me tired. Nevertheless, Abba is faithful, and as soon as I put my focus to the grindstone to prepare a presentation for my church family, I began to absorb, reflect, and yes, even cry.
How blessed I was by the faithfulness of the Father and the love of his people.
Someone once asked me if I could summarize my experience in one word - I really can't... but I've narrowed into down to 5 encompassing words about my time.
1. Unexpected... I knew I had wanted to go to Africa for a long time, but I never knew where in Africa to go - and as many of you know, Africa is a big continent. So I began first looking for an organization that could take me with my restricted window of opportunity. The country of origin, Kenya, was then chosen by the organization Africa Inland Missions (AIM) who I went with - their flexibility with my schedule and their support spoke so much to my unexpected viewpoint making it a journey of excited expectation.
2. Challenging... I went not with a team, but as an individual. I had to learn to rely on Abba as my teammate, rather than just a captain of the ship. As you know from my previous blog, my time in Nairobi was rather lonely because at the Mayfield guest house so many people come and go, yet, Abba provided people just when I needed them.
3. Stretching... because of the unplanned events that occurred... all. the. time. Though my primary area of service was Kurungu, I went to many different places in Kenya after Jay and the Callaghan family were medi-evacuated to Kijabe.
Yet, despite the unexpected, challenging, and stretching time, I was able to experience so much more! And my experience became...
4. Enhancing. Beyond learning about the culture (which was an extensive learning curve for me), I learned to dwell in the moments and realize that the most rich experiences happen in those times.
5. Memorable. I experienced so many first time things. Beyond culture shock, I met a diversity of people from different walks of life all wanting to spread the word and love of Christ, and I fell in love with two beautiful family's (the Swanepeol's and Callaghan's).
I learned to roll with the punches and recognize that nothing usually goes according to plan, that moments are not just seconds in time, but rather the realization of beauty, and that promises should not be made on shifting sand - those circumstances we don't have control over.
Well friends, thank you; thank you for supporting me, loving me, praying for me, and following me in this adventure.
Much love!
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| Spinning Around |
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| "Cool Cars" |
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| Reunited with the Callaghan family after being away for a month. |
