At our training camp, we learned that going on this trip meant we would lose our right to many things. Personal space and personal time being just one of those “lost rights”. I’m an extrovert, but still need time to just be alone. Being the creative mind I am, I’ve learned how to create that alone time when necessary. In fact, as I type I am looking at the seven other people on my team, but can’t hear one word they are saying, thanks to my wonderful headphones. For all I know, they could be laughing at my high-water sweatpants I inherited after our...

     It is so hard to believe that it is already November.  I think it has a little to do with the fact that it feels like summer here and a lot to do with the number of places we have gone and people we have met.  I have loved meeting so many awesome people.  Kenya will forever be in my heart.  Since I have lived in Kenya for over two months now, I decided to make a list of things that remind me that I'm  indeed in Kenya.     You know you have lived in Kenya for awhile when you…. • go four days before you even...

 “No one changes until the desire to change is greater than the desire to remain the same.”   For those of you who know me, you know I tend to do some pretty interesting things, like recording my roommate and my friend for 17 minutes without them ever realizing. I found myself reminiscing the “good old days” last night as I watched videos my roommate and I had made and looked at pictures from college. When I got to that 17-minute video I’m sure my roommate thought I deleted, I watched, giggling at first because of the silliness and missing those...

Sunday, November 4th marks one month since my sister passed away. It still is extremely unbelievable for me, and I believe that’s probably why grieving is hitting me so hard at this time. But I know that God is my comfort. I know that Gods plan is still greater, better, and full of praises to him. I find myself, at most times, just thinking of her. Whether it is a memory from when we were little, or just a silly argument that we always seemed to have. To be honest, I find myself just wishing for that time back, to be nicer, to listen longer, or to just hug her tighter. But, I know...

After two weeks in the Pokot, God opened on my eyes on a different level with Him. Our ministry during our time there was mostly spent in the schools. I helped teach the little ones, most aging between 3-7 years old. I sang songs about Jesus loving them, days of the week and my favorite, months of the year! Teaching seemed easy in the States until I got to teach to children that didn’t speak an ounce of English. With that, at first I was discouraged about how my time in the tribe was being spent. I came to realize God could have brought me there for many little reasons and just loving...

October 31, 2012 7:22 alarm, snooze 7:33 snooze again 8:00 Richelle wakes me up, breakfast is ready 8:34 change into a dirty skirt and brush my teeth 8:59 fill up my water bottle 9:00 wait for the matutu (van) 9:13 sat in chicken poop 9:30 get dared to smack Jimmy Josh’s butt (the cow) 9:31 didn’t do it 9:45 still waiting on the matutu 9:50 leave for the day 10:11 arrive in the slums at our friend Grace’s house to have chai tea (90% fresh cow’s milk, 9% tea and 1% water) 10:25 12 people get crammed into a room that is the size 8X12 10:30 find a mirror that was 2...