Since I've been home...

I've been home from Kenya for just over 2 months now. The lessons I have learned throughout this journey have been endless. My faith in the Lord has grown exponentially, and I am forever grateful.

Just a few of the things I've learned along this wild adventure: 
1. God is God, and I am not. 
2. The Lord really does what His Word says He does. 
3. As a child of the King, He so ADORES us more than we can comprehend.

FREEDOM.

My time has come to leave this community that I have so loved. The city of Mombasa, Kenya and its people have grabbed hold of my heart once again. When I visited Kenya in 2012, I had no idea that I'd be back here just 2 years later. But, the Lord knows things which we do not. He does things beyond what we could ask or imagine--and how thankful I am for that Promise!

Through the help of friends and colleagues, the Lord allowed me to be a blessing to so many. Books, toys, and therapy items were donated to a clinic, children's home, and private school. By the grace of God, some wonderful trainings took place, educating more than 30 professionals in Mombasa on speech and language development. The Lord blessed me with the right words and interactions to get the message across appropriately, crossing language and cultural barriers. I could not have imagined it any better.

  

Still, this adventure has not been without its challenges. Spending 4 weeks away from home in a place that is now essentially considered a "war zone" has not been easy. I spent the first half of my trip going about my days in a very orderly manner. I woke up, went to work, and came home. I did not veer from my structured daily routine, which did not allow much time to explore or have any fun outside of the ordinary. Then, the Lord began a good work in me. 2 weeks into my trip, after some tears of frustration and fear, the Holy Spirit began whispering to me "You are MY child and you are FREE. Do not fear, for I am WITH YOU." Then I recalled Galatians 5:1, "It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free." He did not save me so that I could live in a shell, having no fun, wallowing in sadness, frustration, or fear. He saved me so I could be FREE. So with constant reminders of His Promises, I began stepping out of my comfort zone. New friends invited me over for dinner, and I accepted, even if that meant I would be going to an unfamiliar area or I'd be home after dark. I visited wildlife sanctuaries, enjoyed dinner and dessert at great African/Indian restuarants, and enjoyed week night church fellowships. And each time, someone was always there to escort me home safely after dark. God was reminding me that if I'd just listen, follow, and TRUST Him, He would provide the way.

And now, I am saying goodbye. As THRILLED as I am to be returning home to my family and friends and comfort, my heart is breaking just as badly for this country. God brought me here for this season, and now I get to go home. But there are many here who call this their home. I've personally met, worked with, and lived with ones who've been displaced from their homes because of violence and terrorism. My worries at home are just not the same.

As I leave Mombasa and travel home, I'm asking for continued prayers for protection and guidance. I absolutely cannot wait to see my family and catch up on what I've missed since I've been gone. I am blessed to have quite a testimony to share and am so eager to see what the Lord will do with it!

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty." -2 Corinthians 3:17

Home sick.

2 weeks across the globe and I'm home sick. :(

 

I miss my family.

 

I miss my friends.

 

I miss my church.

 

I miss doing bible study every week with my life group.

 

I miss Houston and Mexican food and swimming pools and parks.

 

I miss the luxury of having clean, hot water.

 

I miss being constantly connected to the world, just by turning on my smart phone.

 

Among other things.

 

 

But for everything that I miss so badly right now, there are things that I am thankful for here...

 

I am thankful for a Kenyan family who loves me like their own, feeds me, protects me, entertains me and gives me a clean, safe place to sleep.

 



I am thankful for friends and other professionals here that I can learn from and laugh with daily.

 

I am thankful for Christian churches here in Kenya that show up every Sunday, loving Jesus, worshiping God, and preaching His word. Despite the risk.

 

I am thankful for nightly bible study with my host family.

 

I am thankful for Mombasa, spiced tea, Kenyan food, beautiful beaches, and wildlife.

 



I am thankful for quick cold showers that wake me up in the morning and cool me off at night.

 

I am thankful for unexpected emails from friends and family, and short but very sweet phone conversations with the ones I love.

 

Among other things.

 

 

Plus, I do get to love on some pretty adorable African kiddos every day, which is a major plus. :)

 



 

 

It's amazing how giving thanks automatically lifts your spirits!

 

Exactly 2 weeks from today, I will be HOME! But for now, I am having fun, being adventurous, trusting the Lord, and living life to the fullest...

　

　

　

 Xoxo.

Mzungu! Jambo, Mzungu!

...(essentially) "Hey white girl!" is what I hear on the streets multiple times a day. I've gotten used to this greeting and embrace it, responding with a casual "Mambo!". So far, I've seen very few other mzungus in my area, which has been interesting. :)

 



There's a funny thing about doing anything for a second time in life... you begin to realize how very much you didn't know the first time! It's quite humbling actually. I've been given much grace this time around, which I'm extremely thankful for. For instance, preparing for this trip (e.g. packing, getting shots, organizing my paperwork, etc.) was much easier than before. There are so many things you don't know about a particular event or situation until you've experienced it yourself for once. The fact that having a bottle of Febreeze handy never occured to me when I came to Kenya 2 years ago. But you better believe I packed that this time!! Some things I've witnessed thus far on my trip have not been AS suprising to me this time, simply because I've seen or experienced this before. Other things, I just can't seem to get past. Let me enlighten you...

 

1. The smells. Awful smells, all the time everywhere outside (and often inside). Smells like burning piles of rubbish, or just piles and piles of rubbish, body odor, and more.

 

2. Sitting TOO close for comfort with strangers in a matatu (taxi) ride. Imagine riding to work at 8am after just having breakfast, and being squished in a van full of sweaty people (including me). B.O. everywhere. It's a struggle that early in the morning for me. Just sayin.

 

3. On the subject of matatus, they are a wild adventure in themselves. The ones that play old school rap music are my fave. They're hilarious. Also, I still can't figure out how they don't wreck or bust their tires every five seconds. It's a wonder. I've managed to almost master the art of matatu riding on my own. I know enough swahili now to not let the conductors take advantage of me or charge me out the wazoo, just because I'm mzungu.

 

4. People offering you whatever food they have at any time of the day, no matter how much or how very little. Kenyan people are the most hospitable.

 

5. Worship. I went to church on Sunday with some of my host family here, and loved it. It was heart-breaking, inspriring, convicting, and enlightening all at once. Every time these people make the choice to step in the house of God and worship, they are risking their lives. Christians and churches in Kenya have been targets of terrorism and violence for a while now, and there's a real chance every time these people meet together, that it will be there last. Still, they do it for the glory of God. And here I am living my usual life deciding when I want to attend church or bible study on my terms. And we are FREE to worship, in so many ways. I can't get over it.

 

... and those are just a few thoughts. So many of the things I see everyday are clear reminders of how blessed we are. The mere fact that I was even born in a country like America, into a family that loves Jesus, is a miracle. TOO many others in this world cannot say the same.

 

This week I've spent some time meeting with some other professionals (speech-language therapists, and occupational therapists), planning trainings, visiting schools and clinics, and meeting with parents. Tomorrow I am heading back to one of my favorite places here in Mombasa, Tumaini Children's Home and Sirio School. I cannot wait to see these kids' many smiling faces and love on them for the time I've been given.

 

I've been away from home for only 8 days now, and I'm already home-sick. Praying for strength to get me through the next 20 days...

 

Tuonane... "See ya!" :)

Into His Promises...

A mixture of emotions is one way to describe how I've felt as I've prepared for this long journey back to Kenya. As I got settled onto my plane, anticipating the first long flight of my trip, I pulled out my Bible. I love how God personally meets us where we're at, speaks a Word to us, and gives us just what we need to take the very next step. I began to read through Deuteromy where the Israelites were on a journey of their own (though MUCH longer and more treacherous than mine could ever be). I love the story of Moses leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. He tells them over and over of God's Promises and His love for them. Though they have been wandering through the desert for almost 40 years, not seeing "the light at the end of the tunnel", he reminds them that the Promises are still coming. In this time of fear and uncertainty and doubt, he reminds them of God's character and what God requires of His children. Moses paints a beautiful picture of what our lives should look like based on who God is and what He's done for us.

"And now Israel, what does the Lord require of you? But to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord's commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it... For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and show His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God, you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen." -Deuteronomy 10:12-14, 17-21

 

So, for me, though I have spent the last 6 months wondering what God's plan for me is and, at times, if He was even still calling me to go... Despite any fear, doubt, or uncertainty, I know God's Promises are still coming. I have been blown away at the people God has put in my life to constantly remind me, like Moses did, of God's character, to follow Him, to serve Him with all my heart and all my soul, and to cling to Him tightly. I have been lavished with love and grace that I do not deserve. Yet, God has still chosen me to be His servant and show His Light to a world of darkness.

And when the enemy tries everything he can to destroy me, I know that he can't because I am child of the King. And when he tries to stop me from moving, tells me I'm not worthy or able, not qualified, or not enough, I can remember that God is not the author of that. I can remember and hold tightly to His Word, that "All scripture is God-breathed, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Because of His GRACE, and because we are HIS, we are equipped. Not because of who we are, but because of who He is. He is enough.

I am so thrilled to have been given this chance to return to Kenya. I'm believing God for miracles of healing and salvation, and can already feel His hand guiding me every step of the way!

Til next time... Nawapenda sana!  

Open Doors

Exactly TWO months from today, I will be returning to Kenya! As most of you know, 2 years ago I was blessed with the opportunity through Yellow House Children Services to volunteer as a speech-language therapist at an orphanage, a school, and a community clinic in Mombasa. While I was there, God began transforming my heart in ways I did not expect. Besides learning how to do therapy in a place with very few resources, I began building an awareness that I never had before--that there's much bigger world out there besides my own. When I got home in 2012, I immediately began to look for ways to get back and GIVE back. Over the last two years, with the help of my colleagues, we've been able to ship 2 large packages full of books, toys, and therapy materials to the school in Mombasa where I served! Because of our continued partnership with Tumaini Children's Home and Sirio School, this summer I will be following up with their teachers and students. I will also have the opportunity to organize trainings for parents and teachers in the Mombasa area who have or work with children with language & learning differences. 

I am constantly amazed at how God continues to reveal His plan for our lives! He is able to use us for His Kingdom in ways we can't imagine. I am so thankful for this chance to care for these kiddos and families in Kenya again this summer, and could not be doing this without the support of Yellow House and their leadership. They are transforming lives in so many ways, and I want to continue to honor that. 

I would love for you to consider donating to Yellow House Children Services and supporting their mission to provide education, therapy, and outreach to children with disabilities and their families throughout Kenya. You can do this by going to www.yellowhousechildrens.org and clicking DONATE. If you would like to give specifically towards my trip this summer, you can mail a check directly to 3415 La Branch St. APT 3, Houston, TX 77004. Your support will make a difference in more ways than one--a 6 year old learning to speak again after being struck with disease like malaria or meningitis, a student seeing a book for the first time, or a family learning how to engage with their child with autism. I thank you in advance for your many prayers and support!! 

"See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have a little strength, yet you have kept my word and you have not denied my name." -Revelation 3:8