Here is what so may have been waiting for. When you ask me, "How was Kenya?" and i reply, "absolutely amazing and completely life-changing!" i am not exaggerating. I know it is hard to believe that this 5 year Spanish taker, heat-hating, America-loving, comfort junky actually changed in Africa, but it happened. I didn't plan to go to Africa until it hit me. It wasn't on my radar, my first connection to Africa fizzled and i wasn't even feeling it. Maybe it was just the wrong timing.
I should just type up some notes from the journal i wrote while i was preparing for, and then in Kenya, but maybe later. Right now, this is what i have to say. Kenya literally changed my life. I left with my life in ruins and returned with it in even more ruins (if we can even imagine that!), but with a lot more peace. Yes, you read that right. More stress, but more peace. And the amount of peace doesn't even compare to that of stress. I have truly been able to adopt the attitude of, "sawa sawa" or "it's ok" for you English-speakers.
Most of you know, or maybe not, that before i left my laptop's trackpad stopped tracking, my cellphone stopped charging(and holding a charge), my bff stopped being forever, and my potential job started rolling (after about a year of waiting and praying). Oh, and boy issues, as always, but that wasn't on the forefront of my mind.
From the time we got dropped off in the airport, God proved to us that He would show up when we cry out to Him. That He is not far away, that He hears. That He responds. That He cares, even about the littlest things. And the biggest things....so many stories to tell but instead of putting them here, i want to put the lesson learned. That God is faithful and i can trust Him no matter what. When i was scared about being alone, He showed He is faithful. When i was scared to go on a mutatu, He showed me i can trust Him. When i was feeling just a little sick, He showed me He answers prayers, in His timing, in His way, with who He chooses. When i hit conflict, He showed that He is sovereign still. When i hit another conflict, He showed that He surrounds me with people that can help. When i was frustrated, He reminded me that
"You will keep in perfect peace(A)
him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts(B) in you." (Isaiah 26:3 NIV84)...so many lessons, so many tim
es.
Ok,
some stories, just so you don't think i was there just to learn. I did
help out! Haha. There were about 120 assessments to finish. These
wellbeing assessments included a physical, spiritual, emotional, social,
and educational section, as well as a health tracking form. Each
section had 10 statements each child was to rate and the health tracking
form included some extra questions, as well as checking eyes and teeth,
height and weight. I also took pictures of each child to send to their sponsors, and helped with packing the letters as well. I lead devotions every night, gave the kids a quiz on the things i taught and even preached a Sunday service. In Kitui, the baby home, i helped to prepare meals for the babies, change and bathe the babies, and even got to take blood! The most important thing i think from the month, was sharing the love of Christ and seeing 29 children give thier lives to Christ. I pray for them and that they continue in knowing Christ more each day! More stories and details to come:) Check fb for pictures.
