184 days of traveling down and about 140 days left to go, you could say that change has become pretty normal. From locations, teams, ministry, climates, cultures, languages, foods, everything- it is all in a consistent place of alteration in my life. Africa offers so much beauty in the people, wildlife, and music. Asia also offers so much beauty in these three areas- but in a totally different way.
Leaving Africa (Kenya specifically), I was sad to say goodbye to new and old friends there, the beautiful views of the beaches in Mombasa, the wildlife outside of Nairobi, the tea fields in Limuru, and the sweet sound of hands-on drums and voices being raised high in celebration. But walking onto Jalan Raja Chulan street amidst the Chinese New Year celebrations, brought me excitement for what is to be experienced here. The colors, clothing, dancing, music, food, and fast-paced life of Kuala Lumpur stir up excitement in a totally different form.
In Africa, we were able to create new contacts for future World Race teams to come alongside and work with. We meet all kinds of people and experienced different kinds of ministries that are thriving in Kenya. We were able to visit some orphanages and help with labor there, paint in a school, hang out with some incredible boys on the beach, cook for locals, make necklaces alongside women with special needs, have dinner with other American missionaries, and we were able to stay with an old friend of mine, Kerby Mckinnell, whom I met at Frontier Ranch YoungLife Camp in 2014. One couple we met, Tammy and Wayne, are doing incredible things in Kenya. They wake up every morning and ask the Lord what He has for them for the day, and they go and do it. The $150 USD (given to me by a donor to give to ministries/people in each country I visit), was given to a baby ministry they visit. It was able to provide onesies, blankets, sugar, soap, diapers, lotion, and a wash bucket. It was a sweet month full of new experiences, freedom, exploration, and growth.
In Asia, we are going to live in the same way that Tammy and Wayne function. We are going to wake up every day and ask the Lord what He has in store for us that day. We are going to walk in confidence that He will give us opportunities that are beyond our wildest expectations, that He will give us new friends who are seeking to know the truth, that He will allow us to plant seeds so that He can water them, that growth in the Kingdom will occur. I am excited to see what all Malaysia / (we are going to SINGAPORE for a few days!!) will have to offer for us.
Life is ministry, and ministry is life- as we like to say.
Prayers are appreciated for my team and I as we are leaning into a season of further dependence on our Father.
Xoxo
Abigail
