Speed bumps and faithfulness

From the time we arrived at the airport, it seemed nearly every step had a hitch in it. But God is faithful. It took an hour to get checked-in for our flight because the airline had messed up Valerie's ticket. We sat 20ish rows apart and didn't see each other for the first flight. But God was with us. The hours in Amsterdam were quiet and restful. Then we boarded the second flight and sat for an hour and a half waiting for fuel. At least we were next to each other. We made it through all the lines in Nairobi and walked outside to find our ride to the hotel was not there. But God provided. We arranged for a taxi and made it to our beds around 12:30am. At 4:45 we were loaded in the van headed back to the airport. Check in was Kenyan style chaos but breakfast was wonderful. God is good. We were the last to board because I missed boarding time which was actually on time for the first time ever. The sky was beautifully clear and we could see Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro from the plane. God is amazing! Rodgers said they left the house early and found us already waiting. 

Our first couple of days have been spent getting used to the time and the heat, eating good food, talking a lot, playing Texopoly (thanks Valerie!), going to church, and walking to the beach. Church is worth mentioning. The pastor attended high school with Rodgers. In true Kenyan fashion, the music was extra loud but the sermon was refreshing. Pastor Francis reminded us that God's grace is greater than our sin and God's grace is greater than our religion. Ephesians 2 opens describing our former condition. We were walking around in our death. I couldn't help but picture zombies. Then comes verse 4: "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,". That "but" is so important. God didn't leave us the walking dead but brought us back to life through his grace. How many zombie movies bring the zombies back to wholeness? But God... 

No step in getting here was without a hitch but no step was without God's presence, provision, and faithfulness. And now I lay here knowing I should but being unable to sleep while I reflect on God's grace. I'm listening to the local mosque play their morning call to prayer while excitedly anticipating the start of MKK high school camp. The next few days will be so full and way too fast. 

Let the Preparations Begin!

Back in the fall of last year, I talked with the Kahindis about going back to Kenya and for months I flip flopped on whether it was a good time to go. When is it ever a good time to drop normal life for two weeks? There's always something to do, somewhere to be, something else to spend the money on. So I stalled and I waffled. Then one Sunday morning, God made it abundantly clear that it was time to plan another trip. Our church always ends the service with, "You are not dismissed, you are sent!" In that moment I heard God say, "go". So here I go. I bought plane tickets February 8. The trip will be April 18-May 1. 

On January 29, I met Valerie at a Bible study. Less than a month later, while listening to me ramble on excitedly about my trip, she told me she felt God telling her to go with me. I was stunned. My first two trips I looked for people to go with me. I didn't want to go alone. At the time of my first trip, I had small children and I rarely even went to the bathroom alone. But God wanted me to fly across an ocean...through Europe...to Africa...alone. But he proved to me from the first flight that I was not alone and he provided people to care for me along the way. Fast forward to early this year, I didn't give much thought to taking anyone with me. How long I prayed in 2018 and 2022 for companions and fellow workers, and now in 2024 God has provided one without me even asking. I am humbled to see God working in someone else's life through mine and excited to see his plans unfold. 

Prayer:

•Praise God for his calling and guidance

•Ask God for his provision and wisdom as we plan, prepare, and pack

 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

-‭‭Ephesians 2:10

I'm home

My last days in Kenya I had intended to spend packing in between beach trips, fresh cinnamon rolls, shopping, and a little more sightseeing. However, I woke up early on Saturday quite sick. I spent most of the day in bed and the only thing I accomplished was the packing. I'm thankful to everyone who prayed for me in that time. Sunday I was still not well but I was well enough to travel. Rodgers went by the chemist (pharmacy) and got me some good meds that helped me on my trip home. The flights and layovers were not as bad as I thought they would be and God was with me every step of the way. I arrived home late Monday night and by Wednesday I felt great.

Coming home is always a special feeling. Getting to hug my people again and listen to all the kids' stories was good for my soul. This trip was amazing. My eyes were opened to so much and I've come away with new friendships. I am in love with Kenya and, Lord-willing, I will be going back. I have so many stories and experiences to share. If you want to hear more, just ask!

He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all you watch. -Psalm 91:11

Kachororoni Primary School

Thursday we visited Kachororoni Primary School where my sponsored kids attend. The drive was long and really rough. There were many spots that didn't look like a road at all. More like a rough dry river bed or tiny hiking trail. But we made it. Our first stop was Grandma Chome's house. She is the guardian of Sifa and Jacob as well as their brothers, Japhet who is in college, and Lemmy in primary school. She is also the Grandma of the Safaris who live with their mom a short walk away. There are 8 Safaris who are all MKKs. Our kids are Ngao and Gloria and we have sponsored them for about 5 years. Getting to meet them and hug them and being introduced as their "mom" was a special moment.

We first visited their house and Grandma or Nyanya Chome fed us a wonderful brunch. I found out I love chapati. They're almost like tortillas and delicious. Then we went to the school, met the Head Teacher (principal), and all the kids. As we got out of the car every kid from that school crowded around to try and touch Rachel and I. It was overwhelming. I talked with them a moment, found out they are older than I thought, and took lots of pictures. There's pictures in the album of me with my 2 and me with all the kids I met. Overall it was overwhelming but awesome.

MKK Camp

High school camp was a lot packed into a little bit of time. I had conversations with several of them just trying to get to know them and let them know that it's ok to talk to me. We had 4 long teaching sessions. I taught the last one. Teaching is not really my strength because I get nervous and speed through. Here I wasn't nervous at all and I took most of the time I was given so I feel like it went well. I did get the kids to answer some questions and they were all reading scripture aloud. I didn't realize how big of a deal that was until R&R told me how a few of these kids could barely read a couple years ago when they became MKKs. It's amazing to hear how far they have come in just a short while.

We ate meals together, drank chai together, watched a movie, and played games. I played the quietest, most awkward game of Uno ever with 5 of them. They seemed to have fun. We had a couple challenges for them to complete, one as a team and another individually. Seeing them laugh and smile and get competitive was a delight.

After I taught the last session and we were hanging out waiting for our last lunch and time to leave, Brayan and Dishan followed by a bunch of guys actually sat with me and asked me all about Texas. Before that, I think Jacob had been the only one to ask me anything. Of course they would decide I'm approachable on the last day. As we said goodbye and loaded them into tuk-tuks, I felt a strong connection to these kids. These are my kids now. Whenever I see pictures of them and get updates on them they won't seem so far away anymore. I told them that now they know me and next time they can't wait until the last day to talk to me. We stood there awkwardly for a minute and then Francis asked Liz if hugging was ok. Kenyans don't hug much, they shake hands. Of course hugs are ok!! We parted not with goodbye but "I will see you again." And now I've made a promise I have to keep.

Camp First Day

Today was so good. We met the high schoolers and Liz (Maisha Kamili "case manager") at the resort we will be staying at for camp. I have met all of the high school kids that Maisha Kamili sponsors. They are all so quiet and reserved. I'm learning more culture like how kids, even high schoolers and college students, don't feel like they can talk to adults. Getting them to open up has been like pulling teeth. But when one would finally start talking and I got a glimpse of their heart, it's beautiful. I cherish the opportunity to put not just a name with a face but a person. I am getting to know who they are and what they think. Bryan is one of the youngest here but he is so sharp and confident when he speaks. Jacob "Shuks" is sweet and fun and made all of us laugh just by introducing himself. My heart breaks hearing stories of where they've been and how far they have come already. Some of these, like Shuks, have been MKKs for years and for others, like Kiboni, this is their first year. I am so grateful for the opportunity to tell them that God has a plan for their lives. That, no matter what the world has told them, they are valuable and they are loved. I pray they believe it and love Him back.

Here's the new Google photo album for the rest of the trip:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yoMXSToXrUoKeCEv6

Lessons from Sunday School

Today is Fathers Day. I'm glad I thought ahead and celebrated with my dad and Matt before I left. I did talk to Dad today. Rachel bought a bundle of international airtime so she could call him. We went to church a little early today. The men were serving breakfast and lunch and leading everything this morning in honor of Fathers Day. This isn't a normal thing but something that Rodgers is encouraging. I had several culture lessons today.

What stuck out to me the most was crayons. Rachel teaches the kids Sunday school up to 4th grade. She said normal is anywhere between 4 and 30 kids aged preschool to 4th. This week we had 20. She did a lesson, we sang a fun song, and colored. When I saw her putting crayons out I couldn't help but notice how small, few, and broken they were. My very American response was to fix it. I can easily buy her several boxes of crayons and send them with my parents when they come or I could go to the store with her here and buy some. But then my mind went through so many things. First of all, the fact that the church and team school I am part of have boxes and drawers of crayons that aren't being used. So many of them won't be used because they are "broken" but they are bigger and so many more than this class has. Then I thought, I could bring those here because these kids won't care. But no, we shouldn't be giving the things we would throw away. We should be giving the things we would want our own kids to have. And then I came to the point of, what's wrong with broken crayons? There's nothing wrong with these crayons. They work just fine and these kids enjoyed it. Every child in that class except one colored a picture. The one was coloring on the chalkboard with tiny pieces of chalk. There's nothing to fix except my own eyes. Not to say I won't ever send her crayons for her class but if I do it won't be because it needs to be fixed.

Perspective is important. My perspective is being shifted.