Friends and family,
I wanted to post a quick update on how things are going here in Kenya and give you a glimpse of what my daily life looks like.
We are working within several different ministry outlets. On Tuesdays we go to the orphanage and love on the children and help with maintenance projects. On Thursdays we head up the mountain to Kijabe to work in the hospital and spend all day praying over the patients there and bringing them the hope of the Gospel. On Saturday afternoons we help with a church plant in a back alley of Maai Mahiu. On Sundays we go to church (I actually found a PCA church here!) and then have team time at the house. Mondays are our off days and we can choose whatever we want to do – being an introvert, I generally use these precious days to sit outside on my own and get some one on one time with Jesus. Wednesdays and Fridays are a bit different. We start the morning off with ATL (ask the Lord). It’s basically just a time spent in prayer asking God to lead us and guide our steps as we head out into Maai Mahiu. We split into groups of 3 or 4 and go wherever God tells us to go. God has led us to so many incredible people and I have loved building Christ centered relationships with them… During the afternoon we head back to the house to facilitate a program for secondary aged kids who can’t afford school fees. We play sports and have Bible studies with them. In the future this program will also be used to teach them trades so that they will be equipped to get a job and the cycle of poverty that plagues this place can be stopped.
Our diet is primarily potatoes and rice. We wash our laundry and dishes in buckets of dirty water. Showers are rare and consist of pouring a pail of cold water over our heads and just calling ourselves clean. The ministry drains us spiritually and the hot sun drains us physically. We are dirty and exhausted. Life in Kenya is a far cry from easy…
But…we are rich. We have food and water and shelter. Nothing compares to worshiping with my teammates every night for hours under the beautiful African stars. Reaching the end of myself has opened the door for God to fill me with His spirit and His strength. Leaning on Him has created an intimacy with Him that I can’t even describe. I am blessed. So, so blessed.
As we walk through these next 2 months in Kenya please be praying for us. Pray for continued health and safety. Pray for God to give us wisdom and guidance. Pray for the hearts of the Kenyans here to be opened to the gospel. Pray for the families of those who were affected by the Westgate tragedy in Nairobi.
Thanks for all of the love and support. I miss all of you and I am keeping you in my prayers!
P.S. I need to make a general confession/apology to the parents of my teammates… I have dreaded your daughters hair. Oops. Please forgive me for my actions. 🙂
