God is good all the time

I cannot believe that I am writing this last entry from my living room in Momence. It has been one week since I have arrived home from Kenya and it has been nothing short of a whirlwind. I met my dear friends, Amy and Justin Van Slocum at the airport after I arrived and we had a wonderful weekend of fellowship. I also was so happy to see my family. My first night home was super rough. I went to sleep at 7:30 and woke up at 3a.m. wide awake and in tears because I was missing Kangundo. As I lie awake I was scared because I was missing my mosquito net, but the Lord suddenly reminded me that I was okay because I was back in America and didn't need one.

I also moved to my new apt this week. My parents have been amazing and moved me a lot while I was gone, but nonetheless there was a lot to do and I didn't have time to be sad about missing Kenya. I am so thnakful to our great God for the move and my new place. I just love it.

As I have been home I also have just loved being with all my friends and attending my church, and not to have a translator during the sermon, although I do miss that. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who love me here. When I came home last year it was a lot more difficult because I didn't have a church family or a lot of friends, but this time I had so many loved ones to come home to.  Bwana Asifiwe!

As I begin talking about my trip and experiences with everyone I realize that I really miss Kenya and truly believe that God has called me there. I will continue praying and listening to God as to when He wants me to go. I know that it will be awhile but I know, for certain, that He has placed this incredible calling on my life and I have to answer.  Pray that God will give me clear answers as to when He wants me to go and what exactly He wants me to do in Kenya. 

Holy is the Lord, God Almighty

Hello friends. I cannot believe that this will be my last entry from Kenya, so bear with me if it is long. My prayer for the past weeks has been "Father, make me useful to this world, loving, helping and serving in Kenya while leading people to You."

I have had a wonderful last full week in Kangundo. I have had a wonderful time teaching my dear students, and today was the last day of teaching in the sewing school. The girls were so sad to see me go and so was I. They were so sweet and bought me a beautiful bracelet and ring. I prayed a blessing over them that each of them would be able to find jobs as tailors once they graduate next year. I ask that you would also pray that each of these dear girls will be able to find jobs to support themselves once they graduate.

On Wednesday Mama gave me the chance to lead our usual Bible study because it was my last one. I used one of my favorite John Piper devotionals. The main point of the devotional is this: "As soon as we discover a problem, God has already been working on it and a solution is on the way." AMEN! This was so encouraging to me because of the fact that I find myself worrying about many things here and at home, but I must stop and realize that God already knows the end result.

On Thursday we went to Nairobi and had a great time shopping and enjoying each others company. I really loved shopping and know that you have gifts coming your way :) On Saturday Gideon, Fitz, Ruth and I took a matatu to Nairobi and had a wonderful day playing in the city. We first went to the Masai market which is in the heart of the city. I was able to buy some beautiful things, but imagine that the Kenyans raise the price once they see a mazungu, white person, they see money. But my brothers bargained for me so all is well. They take such good care of me. We then went to Ya Ya center, which is a really nice mall. Lastly we went to City Park which is a park in the middle of Nairobi and is full of monkeys. I can't wait to show you the pictures because you all will laugh a lot! I was able to feed monkeys from my hand and they even drank soda from my bottle.

While I was feeding the monkeys there was a really sweet boy who came up to me and said, "Auntie would you please buy me some cake, I am hungry." Oh my stars, my heart sank. I couldn't believe these boys because they were so gentle and I did not fear them in any way. So, I told Gideon that I wanted to buy these boys some food so we did. They were so thankful. The guys started talking to them in Swahili to find out their stories and it ended up that they were street boys. When, we were done talking with them one of they boys asked me when i was going to come back to the park and take them home. God really spoke to me then. As we were leaving the park my dear friend and a pastor, Fitz told me that I could open my own children home here and be twice as effective here as in America, which is so true, because it comes down to money. This issue has really burdened my heart this past week. I ask that you pray for me. Pray that God will continue to show me His will for my life as I love it so much here in Kenya.

Pray for the United African Evangelical Mission, and all the work that is being done here. Pray also for direction and leadership.

I will see you all very soon love you.

Bwana Asifiwe

Praise the Lord, is what bwana asifiwe means in Swahili. I cannot cease to sing the praises of our Abba Father as I continue serving him on the mission field. I am so sorry that I didn't update last week, things got a little crazy so I didn't have time, I apologize.

I have had nothing short of another incredible week! On Monday I began teaching a new group of high school aged girls, in our sewing school at the Bible College, conversational English. We had a great time introducing ourselves and getting right down to business. Each of my students are so beautiful and full of love and joy. I am so thankful for the opportunity that God gave me to teach them. I also had the privileged of going to DEB school. This is a school of about 1,200 students and only 43 teachers, you do the math. These are some large classes! I visited some second grade classrooms and taught what we call the "Visual Bible-the OT" This entails some hand motions and words so that the students can memorize the OT in a way that appeals to them. I then went to visit another part of the school, which is the school for the blind. When I walked into their classroom I immediately felt love from these dear angels who cannot see. I was almost in tears as the boys and girls came over and greeted me and began to touch my face and hair. I made such a wonderful friend that day named Boniface, whom I will never forget. While some of the students were reading to me in English via Braille Boniface just came over and sat on my lap as the others were reading. From then on he held onto me even as he read. I couldn't believe the love and kindness that he showed to me, a complete stranger. As it was time for me to leave he wouldn't let go but we said our goodbyes and I saw him again on Thursday and we were so happy to meet once again.

On Wednesday we had our usual Bible study and prayer meetings, which went so well. We went up country for the afternoon Bible study and had a great time of fellowship and prayer. As I was leaving one of the dear mama's-Milka was telling me that I must stay in Kenya and not go back to the states. I told her I agree but I must go back because God will bring me back here soon enough to stay. She told me that she was going to be sad when I leave. Then, Mama jumped in and so sweetly said that she doesn't want me to leave either, but she knows that God has an incredible plan for my life here in Kenya. And that we must continue to pray for a godly husband for her! I love Mama so much and am so thankful for her. My family and friends here are so amazing and how I wish that each of you will be able to come to Kenya some day and experience God in indescribeable ways.

The rest of this week and last has been full of awesome fellowship in the quiet moments. For example, today I had a wonderful time just washing dishes and signing praises to God in Swahili at the Bible college with my dear friend, Syomiti. She is such a blessing to me and I admire her because she is such a godly woman, mother and wife. I also have enjoyed many moments when I have just been walking through the villages with my friends, or simply singing as I cook. Tomorrow I am going to Nairobi with some of my brothers and we are going to have a great time seeing some sights. Pray for journey mercies as traveling here can, at times, be risky. But, I never fear because I know that God has me in the palm of his hand and no weapon formed against me shall remain.

love you all!