As the days spent in Kenya begin to quickly disappear I am lost in emotions. I feel sad by having to say goodbye to all the amazing Kenyans I know call my family. But at the same time I am so happy and blessed that the Lord has brought them into my life, if only for a season. I know that saying goodbye to my teammates and leaders will be a very hard thing to do, something I’m not looking forward to. Does anyone? I have lived with this family for three months, we’ve all cried, gotten frustrated, and at some points just wanted to go home. I have also seen so much change in each and everyone of us. While being in Kenya we have learned so much about Christian community, the way the Holy Spirit works, how to live and love like Jesus did, and so much more. I cannot wait to see where God will lead my teammates and myself i the next chapter of our lives.
I am blown away by what God has impacted me with in the last three monts. I have always wanted to go to Africa. I thought Africa needed me. Yes, the people here are lacking in areas where I have more than my daily bread. I can come in and hand out some buns and bags of ugoli. I can give away my extra shoes and shirts. But what the people here need is God’s love and his truth. I am humbled that our Lord has chosen me to be the one to come and do that for his children. I have realized in my time spent in Kenya that I needed Kenya more than it needed me. I have been shown God’s love, faithfulnedd, truth, grace, hospitality- the list goes on and on- in the people living here so much more than I have shown it to them. They have been the ones to change my life, rather than me changing theirs.
After finally coming to Africa and learning so much from these peoploe I am excited that God is leading me back to my world in America. Don’t get me worng, I love Africa. I have been so impacted by the people I have met here. The poverty I’ve seen, how trusting the people are in the Lord, how rich in spirit this makes them, how important community is, and the power of God. I will never be able to forget the things I have seen, the people I’ve met, and the stories I’ve heard. I know that there will be no way to put into words the things I have felt and seen. But God is still calling me home. I am a missionary no matter where I am. I have been given this opportunity to live in Kenya, this is a huge blessing from God. Jesus, the first missionary, never even left his home country! I have learned how important it is for me to go home and share God’s love and truth to the people in my own back yard. I don’t hav eto go somewhere miles and miles across the ocean to hear from the Holy Spirit, witness miracles, and love people.(Although if I have the change to visit Kenya again I would do it in a heart beat!). As I prepair to head home, I have so many choices to make on how I will live my life after being so changed here in Kenya. It hurts my head just to think about it! I cannot wiat to be a missionary back in Grand Rapids, Michigan. And I am so blessed that I don’t ahve to choose between America and Africa- God has blessed me with both! I cannot wait to see where God will lead me in this next chapter of my life!
